Two new Cafe Scientifique for NE KS

Over the last couple of years a really neat idea to help popularize science has spread widely across the U.S.—the Cafe Scientifique.  Here, in an informal setting, scientists discuss their work with the general public.  Generally, held in restaurants or brew pubs the programs offer a time to socialize, have a good time and learn a little bit about the science that is happening in your community.  NE Kansas has two of these starting up this month:

In Lawrence at the venerable Free State Brewery the KU Museum of Natural History is offering Science on Tap–here’s their first program:

Kaw Kinetics: Hydroelectric Energy in Lawrence

7:30 – 9 p.m. Jan. 26
Free State Brewing Company
636 Massachusetts St.

Sarah Hill-Nelson, owner and operator of Bowersock Mills & Power Co., will kick off Science on Tap, a new community science event. Hill-Nelson will introduce the history of hydroelectric power in Lawrence and discuss the pros and cons of harnessing the energy of the Kansas River, now and into the future.

Science on Tap is a series of informal discussions organized around topics in science and technology. Here’s how it works: Guest speakers introduce a topic for 15-20 minutes. After a short break for food and drink, the crowd is encouraged to interact by asking questions and raising concerns about the topic. Come early for dinner, or join us just for the conversation. Science on Tap is organized by the KU Natural History Museum and hosted by Free State Brewery in downtown Lawrence, http://freestatebrewing.com/.

For Johnson countians sponsored by  The Kansas Citizens for Science:

Join Us For Johnson County’s First

Science Café

Presented by: Kansas Citizens for Science, www.kcfs.org

“Chasing Lizards in Paradise: Biodiversity and Conservation?”

Speaker: Dr. Bob Powell, Professor of Biology, Avila University

Date: Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Location: Coach’s Bar and Grill, 14893 Metcalf Avenue, in private room

Time: 7:00 PM

Come and hear about Dr. Powell’s pursuit of amphibians and reptiles, world-wide threats to these and other organisms, and whether we should care about biodiversity.

What is a Science Café? Science cafés feature a short talk to focus discussion followed by a conversational setting for the rest of the evening.

Goal for the Johnson County Science Café: To serve as casual setting for the exploration of scientific understanding by the public through conversation. Though some comments may be technical, the goal of the café is to present science in an understandable way to the average person.

Future meetings:

Tuesday, February 9, Dr. Dick Wilson, Retired Professor of Biology, Rockhurst University, Science and Society—Is Science truth? Why does it take time for science findings to be accepted by society? Same location and time.

Questions: Contact Harry McDonald, biologycctrack@hotmail.com, 913-897-9630

If you are in the area be sure to spread the word and think about attending yourself and contributing to the conversation.